I have no clue whether this is a controversial opinion or not, but if I have the choice between Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham, Jr., based entirely on on-field concerns, I'm taking Brown 10 times out of 10 and it isn't as close as you might think.
Let me specify that Beckham is perhaps the best space-generating player of his generation. He has ungodly moves--the "stanky leg" delay, the way he sinks into and accelerates out of routes, and his crazy acceleration. Also, Beckham must create this space.
Beckham must create space to make catches because he's not a good contested-catch receiver. The more I watch, the more I think this is a major issue. He creates incompletions because he can't break free from aggressive coverage.
Beckham is an inch taller and 10 pounds heavier than Brown, but Brown is a FAR better contested-catch receiver. Maybe Brown is 90% of Beckham when it comes to "Oh My GOD" plays, but he's a far more consistent route-runner.
Brown, despite his size, maintains a physical presence in the face of hyper-aggressive coverage from cornerbacks much bigger than he is. He understands how to use his body to keep the play alive. When you watch Beckham against bigger and more aggressive CBs who box him out...
...Beckham doesn't establish position. At times, he appears lost if he can't get free. Now, when you have Beckham's interstellar agility, that's understandable. But if we're making the argument that this guy or that guy is the best player in the game, Beckham isn't the best WR.
Am I nitpicking? Not if Beckham wants to upend a team's salary structure by being paid as if he's a transcendent per-down player. You had better have specific players who are more adept with contested catches and physical play if you want Beckham to excel.
Right now, I'd put Brown, Julio Jones and DeAndre Hopkins above Beckham--again, based on tape alone, and throwing everything else aside.
